On Thursday, March 30th among many of our friends, partners and supporters, Beautiful Day has unveiled its new brand... Our special gratitude goes to the United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for joining us and speaking so passionately about the importance of diversity and inclusiveness.
Read MoreThis recipe is ratio- and technique-based, time tested, bulk tested, and adapted to the home kitchen. It ensures spectacular granola without intruding on your most basic right to express yourself by choosing your own ingredients in your own kitchen. What could be better than that? Even the ratios and techniques can and should be adapted to your preferences and equipment, but this recipe will provide the solid starting place to make judicious decisions.
Read MoreFor years I’ve wanted to post a granola recipe for fans who appreciate our style of granola but need to accommodate dietary restrictions (or aversions), or feel compelled to experiment with variations, or want the great pleasure of making granola themselves. Or perhaps you just enjoy reading recipes.
Read MoreLast weekend my wife and I drove our daughter to a camp in up-state new york (Saranac) where she will be volunteering for the month. Dropping her off was a bittersweet parental moment: our daughter growing up… enough for a full month away from home—and in a relatively remote location (with a no cellphone policy! ouch!) We knew she’d be homesick. She might even have a few moments of missing us as much as we miss her. Plus--sadly--this is just the beginning. She starts college this fall.
Read MoreI work with international refugees who have recently settled in Providence. Most don’t speak English. Many are not literate in their own language. None are familiar with the American job system. Most live precariously, struggling to get a foot into the job market. As much as they love Providence, some aren’t sure they will stay.
Read MoreThe other day, I spoke with Erneste Ntahondereye, one of the pillars of the 200-plus strong Burundian refugee community that has made Providence home. Erneste complained about all the Burundians moving to Amarillo, Texas, to work in the meat-packing factories. He’d gone to visit recently and was appalled. Parents were working, but refugee children were staying home or dropping out of school. There were minimal social services. He thumped his skull. “Their heads,” he said, “empty, empty!”
Read MoreOne reason I’ve been drawn to building a social venture is because it invites us past the 6:30 news. If you feel concerned about refugees, then you can do something concrete. It might be as small as buying a granola bar, but it’s something that connects you personally. And something positive. I can enjoy eating something made by someone who enjoyed making it, in part because it was a step towards greater belonging in a new community. And the connections come along the way. That’s why farmers’ markets work so well for us. Or home deliveries.
Read MoreAt Beautiful Day, we are sold on the importance of refugee resettlement in Rhode Island—not as charity, but as vital to the health, growth, compassion, diversity and joy of our community. Sure, resettlement is expensive on the front end. Ultimately, as refugees get jobs and get organized and integrate and eventually start businesses, it can be a sweet deal—a black Friday kind of deal for our state. But only if they actually settle here. And unless they see opportunities to contribute economically, refugees will not want to stay in Rhode Island. This, of course, is one reason Beautiful Day exists.
Read MoreBeautiful Bar ingredients are: oats (gluten free), honey (local), cranberries (Cape Cod cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil), almonds, canola oil (org), sunflower seeds (org), coconut (org), sesame seeds (org), walnuts, pecans, dehydrated cane juice, flax seeds (org), vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, almond extract, nutmeg.
Read MoreAh, Valentine's Day. The holiday known to be bursting with as much romance and swooning ("ah, l'amour!") as there is cynicism and angst ("what an overrated capitalistic convention!"). Wherever you are on Valentine's Day and in whatever mood, might we step back from the hype and give a nod towards all the reasons there are to celebrate and have a little fun?
Read MoreYou don’t need to tell me that it’s a bad habit. I can’t help it: I climb in bed, half-planning to go to sleep, but then plug in my earbuds, and end up watching a Netscape movie on my iphone. This week it was Kiarostami’s Certified Copy (about as awful a title as Abbas Kiarostami is a wonderful name; and bravo to Netflicks for actually making some interesting stuff available for streaming, although who are the jerks that gave it 3.5 stars?--Juliette Binoche deserves at least that just for being Juliette Binoche). This is a little film. No crashes. No gunfights. Perfect for an iphone with earbuds in bed.
Read MoreEvery time you buy a bag of granola you are making an impact. Every time you stop by a farmer's market and chat with one of our employees you are extending hospitality and helping teach English. The donations, the encouragement, the tweets, the referrals, the advice, the gifts (like free table space at the Holiday Market), the access to resources (like Amos House), the Facebook mentions, the articles (and reporters who seek us out) and blog posts, big and small. We've wanted to grow and move forward in a way that keeps us connected to the people who make it possible. Talk about "watching out"! Your involvement is watching out for us.
Read MoreLearn how to make an apple crisp recipe using our granola... And, yes, go right ahead and laugh your butt off.
Read More
